Getting Around, Seychelles Travel, Transport and Car Rental

(Seychelles, SC, Africa)



Photo of road next to Victoria's Lorloz Clock Tower, on Mahe islandAlthough the Seychelles is made up of over 100 islands, most visitors choose to arrive by air onto the main island of Mahé. It's easy to travel around Mahé and the two other main Seychelles islands, Praslin and La Digue, either by using public transport or by hiring a car for a day or two, or for the entire duration of your holiday.

Travelling between these islands is also easy, thanks to a regular boat service. In fact, holiday makers wishing to indulge in a few days of island hopping will find that there are plenty of seasonal pleasure cruises ready to transport passengers. In more rural areas, such as those on the island of La Digue, some locals choose to travel around the old-fashioned way, not by hire car, bus or taxi, but by traditional oxcart!


Image of Seychelles International Airport (SEZ), on Mahe island

Seychelles International Airport (SEZ) / Arriving by Air

Address: Point La Rue / Anse Des Genets, Mahé, Seychelles, SC, Africa
Tel: +248 04 38 40 00
Air Seychelles operates flights between Seychelles International Airport on the island of Mahé and several major European airports. The airport is conveniently located some 10 km / 6 miles from the capital of Victoria.

Taxis between the airport and Victoria are available, as is a regular bus service, which runs from 05:30 to 19:30. The journey takes just 20 minutes.

Picture of terminal building at Praslin Island Airport (PRI)Domestic shuttle flights from Mahé to Praslin operate regularly throughout the day. Flights between the various islands are also available, although these may run once a day or a few days a week. In addition, it is possible to travel by helicopter between Mahé, Praslin and La Digue, as well as to and from some of the smaller islands that make up the Seychelles archipelago.

The country's main airports are listed below:


Smaller airports can also be found on the islands of Alphonse, Assumption, Astove, Coetivy, D'Arros, Farquhar, Marie Louise, Platte and Remire.

View of local bus transport / station

Car Rental

Hiring a car is a convenient way to get around the main islands of Mahé and Praslin, meaning that you can reach even the more remote beaches with relative ease. Cars can be hired from Seychelles International Airport and elsewhere on the island of Mahé, as well as on Praslin. Roads can often be both narrow and mountainous, meaning that extra care should be taken when driving around the islands. You drive on the left-hand side of the road.

Of note, you can only hire cars on Mahé and Praslin, and will need to be aged 21 years old or more, bring a valid driver's license and have been driving for at least three years. Renting a car for a minimum of three days may well result in discounts. If you need any assistance with hiring a car during your holiday on the Seychelles, your first port of call should be your hotel or tour operator.

Book your Mahe Island Car Rental here.

Book your Victoria Car Rental here.

Photograph of bus transport on the Seychelles island of Praslin

Buses and Coaches

Bus services operate regularly during the day time on the islands of Mahé and Praslin, being managed by the Seychelles Public Transport Corporation (SPTC). Island buses travelling along the main routes are usually easy to come by, although are not always punctual when it comes to schedules. Nervous passengers should be aware that bus drivers are known for being bold when driving along extremely narrow roads. On Mahé, bus transport departs for the west coast all through the day, with the last return bus leaving at 19:30 or thereabouts.

Taxis

Hiring a taxi for a journey or even for the day is a popular way of getting around the main islands of the Seychelles. Taxi transport is ideal for short journeys, being highly convenient for travelling between your airport and hotel. If you are feeling particularly flush, you may like to hire a taxi for a whole day, although this can prove far more expensive than simply hiring a rental car.

Yachts moored on the coastline of the Seychelles

Boats and Ferries

Although no scheduled boat passenger services sail to the Seychelles, some cruise ships may give passengers an opportunity to step ashore at Mahé.

It is possible to travel by ferry between the main islands of Mahé, Praslin and La Digue. When speed is of the essence, an express catamaran service operates between Mahé and Praslin. Chartered boats to reach other islands can be hired privately.